Name: Elizabeth Porras
Title: Director of Resident Services
Company: Trillium Residential, Phoenix
1. Tamales. Making tamales during the holidays has been a family tradition of ours for more than 65 years. It’s a time when my family gets together and shares a special bond while creating such deliciousness. To this day my mother gets mad because I like to play with the masa as if it were Play-Doh.
2.Getting Involved. Our co-workers and residents volunteer with UMOM—one of the largest homeless shelters for families in Arizona. It’s an organization that is breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing food and shelter, and sharing insight about how to make a better life for low-income families. Residents donate as much as their hearts desire to contribute to this organization.
3.Decorating. I love the day after Thanksgiving when our maintenance guys put up our 12-foot Christmas tree and hang outdoor holiday lights at our community. This makes our community look magical at night. My co-workers and I listen to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” non-stop and wear reindeer antlers as we decorate the office with red poinsettias.
4.Holiday Parties. We throw a holiday party for our residents that includes a lot of great treats, music and games, such as Rock Band. My co-workers and I also get together for drinks, food and a bunch of laughter at a local restaurant.
5. Baked Goods. I can’t cook, but I sure can bake! During the holiday season my home is filled with the sweet smells of peanut butter cheesecake bites, brownies, chocolate cupcakes and pumpkin and apple pies—all made from scratch. I share these delightful treats with my co-workers and our residents. By the end of the holiday season we are definitely stuffed.
6.Scents. I love the smell of the holiday season. There is just something about that pine outdoorsy wood smell that is oh so wonderful. I actually think it makes me a bit calmer when I just sit, take a deep breath and enjoy the scent of holiday candles.
7. Antlers. I am the nerd that puts reindeer antlers on everything and everyone—my car, myself, my dogs and even my co-workers. The one co-worker who doesn’t mind playing along is Kasha, but I think she would draw the line at me painting her nose red.
8.Eggnog, Peppermint and Hot Cocoa, Oh My! I don’t mix all three, but I have peppermint coffee every morning and I like to relax with my residents out by the fire pits with a cup of hot cocoa—mini marshmallows included. And I can’t resist eggnog with a little brandy—off the job, of course.
9. The Weather. Phoenix weather during the holiday season is ideal for bringing out cute sweaters and boots, but I can still rock my flip flops, too. I’m very grateful that I never need to get the winter coat out unless I’m headed north.
10. Snow. Like I said, I love the weather in Phoenix, but I also love that I can go up to Sedona or Flagstaff [Arizona] and play in the snow. Skiing with friends and family, building a snowman and making snow angels are among my favorite things to do.
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